Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => Technical / Authenticity => Topic started by: craigger on September 02, 2007, 11:46:50 PM

Title: Timing light for 6 volt system
Post by: craigger on September 02, 2007, 11:46:50 PM
I would like to check the timing on my '37 LaSalle.  The manual gives some rather vague instructions including the use of a synco something or another which I gather must be like a timing light or the 30's equivilent anyway.

I tried my 12 volt modern timing light but as suspected, nothing.

Is there some other way to check the timing, or can one cobble up a homemade timing light that will work with the 6 volt system?

Thanks,

Craig
Title: Re: Timing light for 6 volt system
Post by: Philippe M. Ruel on September 03, 2007, 01:39:29 AM
You may use a 12V timing light if you don't plug its feed wires to your car's 6V battery but to a 12V battery taken from a newer car. I always carry a small 30-Ah 12V battery in my 1952 trunk when I go camping with my family, to be able to use accessories like a spotlight or a modern radio / cassette / CD player - or a timing light ;D .

Of course, high voltage detector wire should be linked to your car's high voltage spark plug wires - high voltage is about the same value on most non-electronic ignition systems, whether low voltage is 6V or 12V.
Title: Re: Timing light for 6 volt system
Post by: harvey b on September 03, 2007, 07:23:52 AM
hello there, i was faced with the same dilema with my 37 caddy,i borrowed a light from a freind,the lights are getting hard to find nowadays?,i hooked it up to a 12v battery i had sitting on the floor beside the car,i also ran a ground wire from the neg post (the 12v battery) to the frame on the car.it worked fine as all the light is looking for is a pulse from the plug wire,there are 2 marks on the grank pulley for timing one is TDC the other is the mark you need to set it 5 degrees advanced?i had to run the plug wire over the top of the horns to keep it from getting fried on the manifolds,i do not know how to set the dwell,this is more important than the gap,that is what i have been led to beleive, thanks harvey bowness
Title: Re: Timing light for 6 volt system
Post by: Philippe M. Ruel on September 03, 2007, 12:03:29 PM
Quote from: harvey b on September 03, 2007, 07:23:52 AMi do not know how to set the dwell,this is more important than the gap
Dwell angle is set by setting the gap.

On a new distributor, if gap is correct then Dwell is correct.

On an used distributor, the gap may be correct and the Dwell incorrect because of worn cams or shaft end play. Gap is important because it prevents points from arcing. Dwell is more important because it gives time to ignition coil to get full charge.

Dwell angle setting is the easiest thing to do on Ch****let V8 small blocks or other engines featuring an external gap setting hex screw. It is a pain in the neck on most other engines, you have to control Dwell angle value while engine is running, then stop engine, remove distributor cap, set point gap (increase it to decrease Dwell and vice versa), put distributor cap on, start the engine, control Dwell angle and so on till Dwell is within specifications.
Title: Re: Timing light for 6 volt system
Post by: baxterculver on September 03, 2007, 12:22:54 PM
Quote from: craigger on September 02, 2007, 11:46:50 PM
I would like to check the timing on my '37 LaSalle.  The manual gives some rather vague instructions including the use of a synco something or another which I gather must be like a timing light or the 30's equivilent anyway.

I tried my 12 volt modern timing light but as suspected, nothing.

Is there some other way to check the timing, or can one cobble up a homemade timing light that will work with the 6 volt system?

Thanks,

Craig
If you have a 12 volt battery charger, you can connect the clips of the charger to the clips of the 12 volt timing light (being careful not to touch positive to negative) and the timing light will work just fine.  I know, this is shade-tree, but it works and you get a nice bright strobe to set the timing.
Title: Re: Timing light for 6 volt system
Post by: Don Boshara #594 on September 03, 2007, 04:35:27 PM
I have a Blue Point (Snap-On) MT-125 light that a friend gave me. I don't know how old it is, or if it's still available, but it uses two D cells, doesn't care what the car's voltage is and works great.
Title: Re: Timing light for 6 volt system
Post by: Gergstuff on September 05, 2007, 03:07:59 PM
I followed the advise given, used the battery in my wifes car (shhh, don't tell her) to supply the juice.  I had a little trouble picking up a signal on the #1 spark plug wire (I think it may be going bad) after pushing it this way and that I got the signal I needed only to realize I cannot read the timing marks on the balancer.  I put some white paint on the correct mark and now we are good to go.

Thanks for the help.

Craig
Title: Re: Timing light for 6 volt system
Post by: baxterculver on September 05, 2007, 06:34:30 PM
Quote from: Gergstuff on September 05, 2007, 03:07:59 PM
I followed the advise given, used the battery in my wifes car (shhh, don't tell her) to supply the juice.  I had a little trouble picking up a signal on the #1 spark plug wire (I think it may be going bad) after pushing it this way and that I got the signal I needed only to realize I cannot read the timing marks on the balancer.  I put some white paint on the correct mark and now we are good to go.

Thanks for the help.

Craig
Right!  One of the joys of really old car ownership is trying to do stuff like reading a timing mark that last saw the light of day (or a timing light) some 60 years ago.  That is almost as much fun as trying to break loose an old bolt--without really "breaking it" or your knuckles!  Glad it all worked out for you.